According to work-at-home mom and wife Lori Hall, “There’s nothing you can’t Google and find on the Internet. From how to file a patent to what kind of plastics are available was all discovered and researched on-line.� Lori had several stops and starts along the way but refusing to give-up is what helped her turn her invention into a dream come true. Lori shares her story and the events that lead to her being chosen as one of 8 finalists on Oprah’s Next Big Idea Show.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
LORI: My idea for EZ Bouquet came about while I was making a silk flower centerpiece. It occurred to me that a device that would hold the flower stems in place would make the job of arranging flowers so much easier. As I fussed and fooled around with the foam I was using I knew that there was a need for something better. I started looking around and had a pot that had a disc in the top with holes in it. I spent a year or so playing around with a similar design and abandoned it because it wasn’t versatile enough. I wanted a design that would fit in any shape or size vase.
One day I sat down and prayed and gave it to God to come up with the perfect shape. This is no exaggeration; I was daydreaming and kind of speaking to God saying to Him, and myself “I know there’s a shape that would be right for this and that would work in anything.� Like a lighting bolt I got the idea of the sphere. I jumped up and down and said that’s it!!!
This idea had been on the burner for two years. And at this point I had been working with different designers trying to come up with the right design. Right before this I had been introduced to Jessica Dramer, an industrial design student at the time. She helped me put this new idea on paper. We ran into many who said it couldn’t be done but I would not accept no for an answer. We had to make the ball into two halves and Jessica came up with a connection that allows each half to be identical which also makes it possible for one tool rather than two and cuts down on manufacturing costs significantly. This also was a blessing because we found that each half could be used independently and made the device that much more versatile. The halves can be inverted or used as domes. www.ezbouquet.com/ideas.html. The ball can also be filled with foam to make floral pomanders for weddings and the product ended up being very functional and much more versatile than I imagined.
What was it like when you were selected for Oprah’s Next Big Idea show?
LORI: I had a few prototypes at that point and ran to the computer to register for this event. Jessica and I went to LA and presented EZ Bouquet to QVC and got immediate interest. We received a phone call within a week asking more questions and we were elated. They were only picking 10 finalists out of 6000 attendees at the events in Chicago, LA and Philadelphia. I had multiple phone calls from QVC over the next few weeks and waited for their decision. To my utter shock and amazement, EZ Bouquet was chosen to go on the Oprah Show as 1 of 8 finalists. This was beyond a dream come true. The amazing part of the success so far with EZ Bouquet is a divine chance of seeing a promo on the Oprah Show for Oprah’s Next Big Idea.
Were there any challenges that appeared to be more difficult because you are a woman?
LORI: The challenges came usually from men thinking I was a dumb blonde with a dumb idea. None of them said this but that was the impression I got. Finding a woman who could help me with the computer design was very important. Some of the guys I worked with just didn’t get it. My point is, try to find someone (man or woman) who believes in your idea. Or else you end up spinning your wheels with people that can’t see the value in your product. I discovered that because this was a flower-arranging product, men didn’t get excited about it.
After the Oprah Show several newspapers including the Seattle Times and the Western Front did a story about EZ Bouquet.
Have you started marketing EZ Bouquet to stores?
LORI: The business of selling EZ Bouquet is just beginning. I had to find a manufacturer and got quotes from several companies. This is where you have to be tenacious and not let someone discourage you. I had one manufacturer flat out say he didn’t want to work with me because he didn’t think I would want to spend what it would take to make the tool. After talking to several manufacturers and tool makers including one that was going to produce my part in China I found a US manufacturer that was able to beat the others by 50% and I am thrilled to be able to keep the manufacturing in the US. It really pays to shop around for price. I am also waiting on a decision from QVC to carry EZ Bouquet. They have expressed interest in it and I should know soon whether they will carry it. Making a good product is only half of the battle. Even with all of the exposure and press I’ve gotten it still takes work marketing and selling your product.
What tips can you give others who want to embrace their dream but, don’t have the confidence or feel they don’t have what it takes to succeed?
LORI: Embracing your dream is THE KEY to success. Many people will discourage you along the way or will not have a vision or understanding of your dream. You must continue to believe in it and take the steps to make it a reality. For me the difference in this idea compared to many others I’ve had is that it had lasting value, in other words it kept coming up in my life. It never faded away.
My business is a dream come true. I think the future is bright for EZ Bouquet but it’s just in the infancy stage and I haven’t even gone into production yet.
Any advice for someone who wants to be an entrepreneur but doesn’t know what they want to do, or where to begin to get their idea up and making money?
LORI: I believe anyone can be an entrepreneur but what makes someone an entrepreneur is an idea or a mind that’s always searching for a different way to do something. I think you have to be willing to step outside the box.
Lori Hall is the second finalist I have interviewed and I hope it will encourage you to keep taking baby steps. So if you have a business idea you want to tell us about or challenges feel free to add your comments here. If I can’t answer your question I will have another expert respond to your issue.
QUOTE:
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.â€?
~Maya Angelou
BOOK TO READ:
The Millionaire Maker’s Guide to Creating a Cash Machine for Life
by Loral Langemeier
This book delivers a step-by-step action plan for starting up your Cash Machine, helping you to:
* Identify your personal skill set
* Brainstorm a business idea and model it after a similar venture
* Test the sales potential
* Create a Cash Machine Plan
* Build and manage your team
* Develop short- and long-term marketing strategies
* Grow your business-and make more money!
4 Responses to “This Mom Took Baby Steps and Landed On #1 Talk Show”
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June 27th, 2007 at 9:25 am
What an inspiring story. To have a simple idea one day then end of on the Oprah Show is amazing. What a wonderful idea. I look forward to being able to have one to use for myself. Great work Lori.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
It is really exciting to see someone’s dream and hard work become reality! Lori’s a good example of not letting others discourage her and inspiring others to follow their dreams. The product itself is so practical and looks easy enough for anyone to put together a beautiful bouquet. I will be waiting for it to come on the market so I can get one too. I can see lots of fun and creative uses for it!!
June 28th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I thought EZ Bouquet should have won first place!! It’s so useful and creative. I can’t wait for it to be available so I can get one. I have many of my garden club members who will also want one. Great job, Lori, for hanging in there and persevering!!!
July 8th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
What an inspiring story of how simple, practical ideas can become nationally publicized! I hope all the publicity before production leads to great success! Don’t give up. I can’t wait to get one.